Its Yarny Days' Second Birthday! And there is a Giveaway!

Yarny Days turned two yesterday! Has it grown big or what--seen so many places, made so many friends, and housed so much craftiness. I am amazed that there has been so much commitment to this blog project on my part. In true Grammy style, I must say that I could not do it without all of you. Thank you for being around!

And of course, to celebrate this wonderful time, there is got to be a giveaway. It is going to be a surprise crafty package for the winner--containing yarn, crafty books, and goodies! To take part, just leave a comment for the blog post by Sept 29 (please see that your comment links up to your blog/website or leave an email address). And oh yes, this is an equal opportunity-destination giveaway--you could be living in any part of the world.

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Here is what I call "One Chubby for the Road." I never planned to make a bulky vest for Cupcake, and this was very spontaneous. The other weird thing is that this is not my kind of color--too baby for my liking. But the whole thing just grew on me--the weight of the yarn, the color, the buttons.

I was inspired by the Felix's Cardigan pattern (link below), especially the V-neck shaping. It is a fast, easy knit anyway, and with heavy worsted yarn, it was under-one-day knitting. If I had the buttons on hand, it would have officially been done in a day.

Pattern: Vest inspired by Felix's Cardigan
Yarn: Plymouth Yarn Encore...Hmmm. The label said Chunky, but it was between worsted and chunky (something was off with my skein); one skein
Needle: US 8
Size: 6 - 12 months
Modifications:
1. Slip 1 stitch every row (for a neat garter stitch band)
2. 5 stitches for garter stitch band (instead of 4 stitches)
3. Bound off sleeves when separating sleeves and body. This was done purlwise.
5. Button hole: K2, yo, k2g, k1
6. Button hole made every 11th row
7. While during the garter stitch band at the bottom of the body, I missed a knit row (I purled instead). Well.

Prof. Cupcake

The latest finished object for Cupcake. Though I like the way this sweater is designed, I decided to knit it for a totally different reason. In her description, the designer says "I think the shawl collar adds an air of sophistication - like this baby belongs in a library, sipping tea and reading Shakespeare!" Suketu and I are both academic researchers by day, and...well, the same by night--usually living in our own heads and striving to understand the "beyond" of our societies. The look of this sweater just called out to me--it fits all the essentialist stereotypes of people from our side of the world. (Remember the stereotype of professors in jackets/ suits, with their heads buried in some book in the library?)

The sweater is knit in bulky cotton, and in a super tight gauge, so that it has the look and feel of a jacket. The yarn I used is Schulana Supercotton Solid--I now regret not buying more when it was on sale at a yarn store. It feels soft and wonderful in your hands, without the usual tackiness of 100% cotton (maybe the nylon in it helps?).

Again, super fast because it is top down (could it be any other way?). Buttons from stash. Suketu liked my idea of putting leather/suede patches at the elbows, but I was unsuccessful in finding small pieces for the patches. I am thinking my mom-in-law will come up with something on her sewing machine.

Pattern: Baby Sophisticate (free download link on Ravelry)
Yarn: Schulana Supercotton Solid; four skeins
Needles: US 8 for body. US 9 for sleeves (I really tightened up in magic loop)
Size: 6-12 months
Modifications:
1. I knit the body plus sleeves until I reached desired chest size.
2. This pattern did not have any sleeve decreases. I used suggested sleeve decreases from the Baby Pullover #214 pattern.

Happy Happy Joy Joy

I have been having some not so good postal mail karma. Remember this? Anyway, I sent a replacement package to Josie and finally, she now has her swap package! (Dont get me started of how this package sat at New Delhi customs clearance for days. A totally different postal karma story).

This is a great, super easy, super quick, market bag pattern (see info below). Since these bags really stretch out, I crocheted in a very tight gauge and made shorter handles. The yarn fiber also helped--it is very closely plied and holds up very well for projects like bags, coasters, mats.

Pattern: String Bag from Lesley Stanfield's book First Crochet
Yarn: J&P Coats Royale - Lovebeads Crochet, 1.6 skeins
Hook: 3.5mm

The Gravity-Newton Series

Phase II of the paint job has began. But it is not just any painting--Ami, the godmother to be, is crafting a mural. She says it is still in a work in progress stage, but Suketu and I already think it is perfect. It is beautiful, breath-taking, and more than what we thought it would be. I cant wait for all of you see pictures when it is all done!

In line with the mural theme, Suketu and I have been fascinated (very fascinated) with the phenomenon of gravity. What is Gravity? It is a mind-boggling question. So many things answered, at the same time, so many things unanswered. So much so, Suketu says that the fact that I like him, is like Gravity. It is a mind-boggling thought to him--that I actually like him. I know. He is cute.

We are also so taken by Gravity, that between Suketu and I, the baby is called "G". I sometimes feel why even bother thinking of a "real" name for this kid--I know we will end up yelling "G, you better get your ass here right now, before I start thinking very evil things" OR "G, one more curfew violation and you will be G for grounded." Kid, dont blame us. Blame Newton. And that apple which started it all. Presenting the Gravity-Newton Series.

I bought these apple no-sew iron-ons from an Etsy seller. One went on a onesie. The other two on bibs--I have been told that drool and burp bibs are in high demand in mommy circles. So in my destashing frenzy, this was the best thing I could make with the cotton yarn I had.

I made up the below bib as I went along...and used the decreasing concept at the neck from this pattern (Ravelry link). I am not into the whole stringy, tying thing at the back, so I made a band with buttons. Since I only have a theoretical understanding about babies, their bodies, and their clothes, I assume I can add more buttons if need be.

Pattern: Own concoction; special mention for neck decreases--Cotton Bib (Ravelry link)
Yarn: Lily Sugar'n Cream Solid in yellow and brown
Hook: 4mm

This bib is a highly improvised version of a pattern. As you might know, I dont fancy frills and scallops, so theey were all omitted here. Also, like in the first bib, I made a band with buttons. And ironed-on an apple.

Pattern: Crochet Baby Bib
Yarn: Lily Sugar'n Cream Solid in yellow and brown
Hook: 4mm